Bumpy problem and overdue crosswalk await action in Jefferson County | Street Scene

For several weeks I have been working with Jefferson County to address and fix what appears to be the use of some type of improper elevated traffic calming devices which have resulted in jarring teeth, damaged suspensions and email complaints written to Street Scene.

So far, although the message is people are looking into it, Street Scene hasn’t received anything concrete as to what exactly is causing such a consequence for motorists or when a remedy is to take place. We will have to be patient a little longer, this is now a "you’ll know when I know."

Street Scene: Shrubbery blocks view; rush hour clogs Southwood; red lights get risky | Street Scene

Investigation: Woman found dead on roadside near state line, LCSO investigates as 'traffic fatality'

Pedestrian fatality: Woman arrested after fatal pedestrian hit-and-run in Midtown Tallahassee

Another Jefferson County puzzle is a letter sent on or about July 19, 2018, from Jefferson County Commissioner, now Chairman, Eugene Hall to the Florida Department of Transportation requesting pedestrian crossing signals be installed on State Road 10 (US-90) West Washington Street, in the vicinity of the Monticello Opera House.

I included in Street Scene this realistic pedestrian safety request by Commissioner Hall around the same time.

It is now July 2022. Four years! Four years have passed since the request for a measure of safety be afforded the people of Monticello. As of today, no pedestrian signal has been installed. Only a small, undersized stop sign pictorially depicting a pedestrian in a crosswalk which is improperly positioned (too low and on the drivers left) in a grass traffic island.

Meanwhile, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian safety signals have been popping up all over Tallahassee and across Florida.

Many citizens are asking the same question of Street Scene. What’s the hold up in Jefferson County’s request for pedestrian safety in Monticello? What are they waiting for? Surely not a fatal pedestrian injury. How can it possibly take four years to do nothing?

What can I say other than to admit this has become embarrassing not only for the Department of Transportation but for me as a former engineer with FDOT. Only that I have no answer. So, I pass this ugly scenario on. On to the political arena where I know the safety of the citizens of Florida is of utmost importance.

Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson has for many years supported every measure of transportation safety including IMPAACT, Informing More Pupils About Auto Crash Tragedies, my teen safe driver initiative. Therefore, I respectfully ask my friend to remove the logjam and provide safe passage for pedestrians in Monticello.

Paint at Conner Boulevard

Q. Linda reports the FDOT has applied reflective delineation paint on the protruding concrete end of the traffic separator on Apalachee Parkway at Conner Boulevard.

A. I’m certainly glad to hear this good news since we reported Linda’s concern of the dangerous hazard in Street Scene’s June 27, 2021, column. Only took just over a year to add a gallon of paint to a bad highway design that, by evidence of concrete broken by vehicle undercarriages and flattened (then replaced again and again) post delineators. A known hazard to the motoring public which remains unfixed can result in a civil action.

I urge once more the responsible traffic safety personnel at FDOT issue a work order to cut-back the traffic separator bullnose to fit turning radius safe design criteria. Thus, eliminating vehicle v. median crashes. And injury lawsuits.

Thanks again, Tallahassee traffic engineers, for extending the south to east green arrow time. Email reports tell us the small timing adjustments have made all the difference. Motorists are no longer running the red light because they know they no longer have to wait through multiple signal cycles.

Confusion on Meridian Road

Q. Darlene reports: it’s easy to be confused when northbound on Meridian Road turning left onto westbound John Knox Road. Darlene says drivers, me included, are having a difficult time recognizing exactly which lane to enter when turning left onto westbound John Knox Road. The confusion is very prevalent as the sunset looms over the crest of John Knox Road meeting the drivers eye at a critical decision making time. Also, full nighttime makes it hard to decipher which lane to enter.

A. It so happens I was privileged to witness a driver backing out of the eastbound lane one evening as he realized he was headed over the crest of the hill westbound in the eastbound lane. I stopped to protect him from being hit by Meridian Road traffic turning left behind me. Ultimately, he backed up and continued westbound in the proper westbound lane.

As you might imagine this little incident prompted me to investigate. Over several days I watched some people drive into the white post delineators separating southbound to westbound traffic from the northbound to westbound vehicles. What I found, l passed along to our Tallahassee traffic engineers.

We need to run a section of yellow post delineators and yellow raised pavement markers down the length of the painted median to better identify the exact beginning location of the westbound lane. When we provide lane-line markings clearly identifiable at nighttime during a rain we have done all we can for the safety of the motoring public.

Noisy mufflers downtown

Q. Fran says it’s nice living downtown except for noisy mufflers, boom boom boom boxes and revving up of motorcycle engines. Fran asks if Street Scene knows of a noise ordinance for downtown or a way to put up signs asking people to be courteous. I’m sure the people that work along Monroe Street must have a difficult time hearing in their offices as well.

A. During the Feb. 16, 2022, Tallahassee City commission meeting commissioners approved in a 4-1 vote the new noise ordinance. The proposed ordinance No. 22-O-13 prohibits noise disturbances. I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but the ordinance gives discretion to the police.

Noise disturbance is defined as “a sound which is unreasonably loud, raucous or jarring to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities and which is plainly audible to a police officer or code enforcement officer” at a distance of 100 feet or greater.

So the answer to your question is; it appears there is a noise ordinance in place. Therefore your remedy Fran is to request Tallahassee police officers patrol the downtown or you and neighbors might hire off duty officers.

Danger near the Tallahassee School

Q. Tiffany reports that morning and afternoon traffic at North Monroe Street and Ruby Road is a dangerous mess without an officer posted. Drivers trying to get into and out of the Tallahassee School of Math and Science are struggling to stay alive while turning west from northbound North Monroe Street in the morning then again trying to access Monroe Street in the afternoon.

A. Although the first few days of school usually bring us challenges, an officer directing traffic is essential at this location during school times. Surely a traffic signal is the solution, however until that happens a traffic officer is necessary for the safety of all.

Philip Stuart is a retired Florida State Trooper, Traffic Operations Projects Engineer and Forensics Expert Witness. Write to crashsites@embarqmail.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bump remedy, pedestrian crosswalk are needed in Monticello